President Donald Trump struck false notes in addressing Puerto Ricos
crisis in recent days, exaggerating both the ferocity of a truly ferocious
hurricane and the pace of recovery. He also seemed to raise false hope
that the territorys staggering debt would go away.

.

A look at his remarks during and after his visit to the hurricane-ravaged
island:

.

Trump: This has been the toughest one. This has been a Category 5,
whichfew people have ever even heard of a Category 5 hitting land. But it
hit land and, boy, did it hit land. remarks Tuesday in Puerto Rico.

.

The Facts: As terrible as it was, Maria actually made landfall on Puerto
Rico as a Category 4 hurricane, not 5. Winds were at 155 mph (249 kph),
not 157 (253), the minimum for Category 5. Its a distinction no doubt lost
on Puerto Ricansthe storm was even stronger than Harvey and Irma upon
landfall, said National Hurricane Center spokesman Dennis Feltgen. But,
operationally it was a Category 4 hurricane.

.

snip

.

Trump on Puerto Ricos debt: Were going to have to wipe that out. I dont
know if its Goldman Sachs, but whoever it is, you can wave goodbye to
that. to Fox News on Tuesday.

.

The Facts: Washington doesnt have the authority to force investors to take
massive losses, if thats what he meant. And Trumps budget director, Mick
Mulvaney, said afterward: We are not going to be offering a bailout for
Puerto Rico or for its current bondholders.

.

snip

.

Trumps remark contributed to a plunge in Puerto Ricos bond prices. Falling
bond prices are a sign that investors may be less likely to be
repaidsomething that usually makes it more expensive for governments and
companies to borrow.

.

snip

.

Trump: Who needs a flashlight? Flashlights, you dont need em anymore. You
dont need em anymore. while handing out flashlights and tossing rolls of
paper towels to a crowd in Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

.

The Facts: Its possible his particular audience did not need flashlights,
but many Puerto Ricans do. He was visiting the upscale Guaynabo
neighborhood, one of the fastest to recover. But more than 90% of the
islands electricity customers remained without power at the time, nearly
two weeks after the hurricane. And those who have it back are experiencing
periodic blackouts.